Birch pollen allergy

White trunk, bright green leaves - everyone recognizes a birch at once, but not everyone is happy about the sight. Because many allergy sufferers are at war with it and associate it with only one thing: bad hay fever.

The birch pollen allergy is widespread in the population and affects up to 25 percent of all pollen allergy sufferers.

Among the tree pollen allergens, birch pollen is even one of the most aggressive, as it is released in high concentrations during the flowering period. A tree alone can scatter up to 100 million pollen into the air - no wonder that the mucous membranes overreact to the concentrated load.

An allergy to birch pollen manifests itself through complaints of the upper respiratory tract, as soon as the mucous membranes of the nose come into contact with the flying pollen. The eyes also react quickly irritated to the allergens. Typical allergy symptoms are:

• sudden sneezing attacks
• running or stuffy nose
• itching nose
• itching eyes
• reddened eyes
• watery eyes
• swollen eyelids
• reddened skin
• itching on the palate
• scratching in the throat
• breathing problems up to asthma 
• general fatigue

Hay fever usually occurs suddenly and can quickly improve as soon as the pollen concentration in the air decreases. Many allergy sufferers only suffer from individual symptoms, such as sneezing attacks or runny nose. Others, however, are more severely affected, feel physically weak and are restricted in their daily lives by the allergic reaction.

The main bloom, which causes allergy sufferers the most trouble, lasts about two weeks and usually takes place in April. The birch pollen count, however, extends over several months from March to July. The beginning and end vary depending on the climate and weather. After a mild winter, the first pollen sometimes flies as early as the end of February. If, on the other hand, it is very cold until April, the acute pollen count phase is postponed.To prepare for the pollen season, it is worth taking a look at the pollen count calendar. Because by the timely application of nasal spray and eye drops, you can specifically ensure that you come well through the birch pollen season.

For the treatment of birch pollen allergy, various medications come into question - depending on whether you suffer from hay fever, irritated eyes or even skin rash [https://www.polli-allergie.de/symptome/hautausschlagallergie/]:

• Nasal sprays: Most pollen allergy sufferers know the annoying respiratory symptoms with sneezing and runny or stuffy nose. To breathe freely again, nasal sprays are the first choice. There are various active ingredients: Nasal sprays with the active ingredient azelastine, e.g. Pollival® Nasal Spray, are suitable for acute complaints. They block the histamine receptors and stop the allergic reaction. Preparations with the active ingredient cromoglicic acid, e.g. contained in Pollicrom® Nasal Spray , intervene early in the allergy mechanism by stabilizing the mast cells and preventing the release of histamine and other mediators.
• Eye drops: Itchy eyes are unbearable, but can be treated well with eye drops. As with nasal sprays, various preparations are also offered here. Eye drops with azelastine, such as Pollival® eye drops, relieve the symptoms in acute cases, as the allergic reaction is suppressed. The active ingredient cromoglicic acid, e.g. in Pollicrom® eye drops, sets on the other hand early, even before the allergens can develop their full effect.
• Tablets: For all sufferers who suffer from severe discomfort during the birch pollen flight, there are antihistamines  in tablet form.

When buying nasal sprays and eye drops, always make sure that the preparations are free of preservatives, such as all products from Polli. The doctor may also prescribe medication depending on the diagnosis, for example, tablets with active ingredients similar to cortisone.

In addition, there are a number of home remedies for pollen allergy, which you can use in addition to treatment with medication. Above all, you should avoid the allergens as much as possible and stay mainly indoors during the main bloom of birch trees.

Whoever suffers from a birch pollen allergy is most likely also allergic to other substances. This phenomenon is called cross-allergy. Often, birch pollen allergy sufferers also experience allergies or intolerances to these foods:

• Apple
• Pear
• cherry
• plum
• peach
• nectarine
• apricot
• strawberry
• kiwi
• hazelnut
• almond
• carrot
• celery
• peanut
• soybean

Be aware. Therefore, if you have a known birch pollen allergy, when eating fruits, Vegetables, nuts and legumes especially on whether a scratching or tingling in the throat spreads or digestive problems occur. Mostly such cross reactions make themselves directly noticeable, they can lead however also only days later to gastro-intestinal complaints.